Character Counts improves the lives of the adults that teach it and the communities that embrace it. Character Counts gives students framework for ethical living. Simply put, we help kids make better choices to make everyone’s life better. Character Counts is two things; an educational framework for teaching universal values and a coalition of organizations that support each other. The result is a cultural change in our school and our community.

Mountain Vista Middle School is striving to strengthen the character of our students through character education. Administrators, teachers, and staff members are helping to teach, enforce, advocate, and model the “Six Pillars of Character”: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Students have been provided education regarding each of these character traits and should be able to share with parents what it means to exhibit each of the character traits.

Character Ambassadors are helping to make new students feel welcome and comfortable at Mountain Vista Middle School. Each homeroom class has selected a male and a female student to serve as character ambassadors whose role is to accompany the new student to class, buddy up with them, introduce them to other students, show them around campus, and answer any questions the new student might have during their initial days at our school. This program is a great way for students to show Caring and Citizenship and really lessens the anxiety and stress of starting a new school where you may not know anyone.